Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Income Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 27,020	$ 98,241	$ 218,845	$ 377,671
Income from discontinued operations, net of income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,277	10,340	70,974	143,573
Net income attributable to Vornado	38,297	108,581	289,819	521,244
Preferred share dividends	(17,787)	(16,668)	(35,574)	(30,116)
NET INCOME attributable to common shareholders	20,510	91,913	254,245	491,128
Earnings allocated to unvested participating securities	(40)	(48)	(79)	(184)
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share	20,470	91,865	254,166	490,944
Interest on 3.875% exchangeable senior debentures	0	0	0	13,090
Convertible preferred share dividends - Numerator	0	0	57	64
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share	$ 20,470	$ 91,865	$ 254,223	$ 504,098
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share - weighted average shares	185,673	184,268	185,521	184,129
3.875% Exchangeable Senior Debentures	0	0	0	5,736
Employee stock options and restricted share awards	669	1,876	700	1,815
Convertible preferred shares - Denominator	0	0	50	56
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total	186,342	186,144	186,271	191,736
Income from continuing operations, net	$ 0.05	$ 0.44	$ 0.99	$ 1.89
Income from discontinued operations, net - Basic	$ 0.06	$ 0.06	$ 0.38	$ 0.78
Net income per common share	$ 0.11	$ 0.50	$ 1.37	$ 2.67
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net - Diluted	$ 0.05	$ 0.44	$ 0.98	$ 1.88
Income from discontinued operations, net - Diluted	$ 0.06	$ 0.05	$ 0.38	$ 0.75
Net income per common share	$ 0.11	$ 0.49	$ 1.36	$ 2.63